PTT-100 Archival Pop-up Tag

Our single point Pop-up Tag proved that transmission of archived data via satellite was feasible. Next, we set to work improving the Pop-up Tag so that more data could be sent through the system. We upgraded the sensor interface and incorporated a "fuzzy logic" based data processor. We continued the approach that had been so successful with our very light bird tags - keeping hardware to a minimum by replacing it where possible with software which weighs nothing! The result was our PTT-100 Archival Pop-up Tag, introduced in 1999. The Archival Pop-up Tag records the times of sunrise and sunset for geolocation, as well as temperature and pressure readings. Data can be stored for over a year within the tag before it releases and transmits its archived data to Argos together with real-time temperature, battery voltage readings, real-time clock calibration checks, and CRC16 checksums.

The latest generation Archival Pop-up Tag samples temperature and pressure readings at 15 minute intervals for the first 4 months of deployment; from 4 to 8 months post deployment it collects temperature and pressure data at half hour intervals (overwriting the 15 minute data), at 8 months post deployment it starts collecting data at hourly intervals. After 12 months post deployment, the standard archival tag's memory contains one hour data samples. The tag can be programmed to release either on a specific date or after a preset time on the fish. This pop-off "delay" is better suited for studies with an indefinite start date. If the tag goes below a preset depth, or remains at a "constant depth" (for example on the bottom or at the surface) it will initiate its release mechanism, float to the surface and begin transmitting its data to Argos. The tag is rated for 3000 psi (approximately 2100 m depth) .

The tag is equipped with our SiV™ technology, to maximize the efficiency of transmission by directing the tag to transmit its data only when the satellites are most likely to be overhead. Assuming good sea conditions and good Argos reception, the tag can transmit a year's worth of data through Argos in about 10 days at middle latitudes.

Data must be forwarded to us for decoding and processing. The geolocation track we provide is derived from the raw sunrise and sunset times recorded by the tag. We do not apply additional filters.

Once the tag has finished transmitting through the Argos system, data are parsed at our facility and a report is created. We send the report directly to the researcher via email. Turn-around times for reports can vary based on the number of datasets in queue for processing. Generally, data reports are sent within two weeks after the tag has completed its transmission. The reports contain time-series depth, time-series temperature, and daily geolocation estimates (geolocation excluded in high-rate programmed tags). The following link shows an example of some of the data provided in the report.